Spring Break
Opinion: Quarterback play dictates Pirate victory
Ronnie Woodward, Asst. Sports Editor
Issue date: 10/21/08 Section: Sports
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Heading into the game between ECU and Memphis, it was the visiting Tigers who had stability and leadership at the quarterback position, and the Pirates who were searching for it.
After ECU's 30-10 win however, the roles were reversed.
Memphis came into the contest with a high-powered passing attack led by Arkelon Hall, who was 11th in the nation in total passing yards. The Pirates entered with an inconsistent offense, a three-game losing streak and a brewing quarterback controversy.
But on Memphis' first offensive play from scrimmage, Hall broke his thumb and wasn't able to return. The Tigers turned to fifth-year senior Will Hudgens, who had played in 18 games prior to Saturday. Like Hall, Hudgens didn't last long either: he only attempted two passes before being knocked out of the game with a torn ACL.
Enter Brett Toney.
Toney, a walk-on who wasn't even listed on the Memphis depth chart, was more valuable as the Tigers' holder for field goals and PATs than as a quarterback. In Memphis' media guide, the 190-pound junior's bio says, "He has been a leader for the offensive scout team the last three seasons."
Needless to say, Memphis' game plan changed. Even with Toney, who ran an option-heavy offense in high school, Memphis was uncharacteristically limited and unstable on offense. The Tigers gained an early 7-0 lead because of an ECU miscue, but after the injuries to Hall and Hudgens, they attempted 10 more running plays than passing plays despite losing for most of that time period.
"We were obviously feeling very good to start the game, then we lost our two quarterbacks and I am not going to sit here and say that it didn't hurt us," Memphis coach Tommy West said. "We had a 10-7 lead at halftime and then we couldn't move the ball to start the second half, and that was it."
ECU linebacker Pierre Bell said the game plan on defense changed after Hall and Hudgens went out.
"When you see the third-string quarterback in there with the first-team running back, you know who they're going to give the ball to," he said.
"When the third one [quarterback] went in, I said to defensive coordinator Greg Hudson, 'they're going to throw screens and hand the ball off,'" added ECU coach Skip Holtz. "It was different than what we approached, but in all honesty, it made them a little more one-dimensional and easier to defend."
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